My family watched as I grew sicker...

I am someone’s daughter, sister, best friend, and neighbor, and we all suffered because I couldn’t afford the health care I needed.”

I am from a small town. I never had a lot of money, but I was content with life.

I worked hard and lived within my means. Then, I was diagnosed with liver disease.

I went from walking six miles a day to sleeping constantly. My doctor found a cocktail of medications that helped. But, my prescriptions were $1,900 a month, not counting doctor’s visits. Liver pills alone were around $500. This left me only $5 at the end of every two weeks for food and gas.

Eventually, I had to stop treatment to make ends meet. My family watched as I grew sicker. It wasn’t until I qualified for assistance that things started to turn around, but my body went through irreversible damage from the lapse in treatment.

I am someone’s daughter, sister, best friend, and neighbor, and we all suffered because I couldn’t afford the health care I needed.

But then the price went up. Way up....

When I switched to Medicare the cost became $10,000 a year. That was $2,000 for a single prescription.”

I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Luckily, I discovered Humira, a shot that could keep down inflammation and ease my bone deterioration. I received Humira for $5, with insurance. With my pain managed, I could spend time with my family and friends, my arthritis no longer dominating my life.

But then the price went up. Way up.

When I switched to Medicare, the cost became $10,000 a year. That was $2,000 for a single prescription or a $1,995 difference between insurers. How is that possible?

I wrote the manufacturer, applied for assistance, but nothing worked, so I stopped taking the drug. My bones became weak and crippled. My life was no longer my own and to this day, I still don’t know why.

Our medications are so expensive...

that I must choose between my son receiving his treatment or myself. Ultimately, that is no choice at all. My child always comes first.”

Accessing health care is a constant struggle for my family.

My son has special needs and I have a rare, painful disease that deforms my hands and feet. Although I have worked full-time for over 20 years, our medications are so expensive that I must choose between my son receiving his treatment or myself. Ultimately, that is no choice at all. My child always comes first.

It is ridiculous that throughout the month, I ration or stop taking the eight different medications that keep my hands functioning well enough to tuck my son in at night. It is unacceptable that my health and mobility are declining, threatening my job and my ability to care for my child. My health affects my son’s and my son’s affects my family’s, everyone suffering all because a company wants more money.